Rebels own burning of P12.9M equipment

From the Visayan Daily Star (Sep 20): Rebels own burning of P12.9M equipment

The Rachalle Mae Palang Command reported that it has successfully carried out punitive action against a quarry operator in Brgy. Cawitan, Santa Catalina, Negros Oriental, by burning its three heavy equipment.

RMPC spokesperson Ka Estrella Banagbanag said in a statement that the red fighters of the NPA also disarmed the security personnel of the quarry operator, after incinerating backhoes and pay loaders.

The Philippine Army yesterday estimated the damage on three heavy equipment at P12.9 million, Senior Supt. Raul Tacaca, Negros Oriental police director, said.

Ka Estrella claimed that RMPC action was in response to various complaints and demands of residents in the area against the plummeting of their crop production due to quarry operations.

Nestor Lim of HN Trading, who is engaged in a quarry business in Sitio Major Danao, Brgy. Cawitan, Santa Catalina, told the military that two backhoes were destroyed , while the payloader suffered damage, as a result of the burning incident, Capt. Samuel Maglinao, acting Civil Military Operations officer of the 303rd Infantry Brigade, said.

Maglinao added that members of the NPA also took two 21-plated batteries of the heavy equipment, two cellular phones, a bag containing cash and personal belongings of quarry workers.

In previous months, three heavy equipment, that were used for a national road concreting project, were separately burned by NPA rebels at barangays Luyang and Bagtic in Mabinay town, Negros Oriental.

Estimated damage has been placed at P5.4 million.

The Army’s 303rd Infantry Brigade condemned the latest atrocities claimed by the NPA in southeast Negros.

In the past eight months of this year, the 303IB recorded 22 incidents of atrocities perpetrated by the NPA in Negros Island, and 14 liquidation activities.

Ka Estrella called on all business enterprises and economic undertakings operating within the guerilla zones to abide with the environmental policies and other social impact regulations set forth by the people’s democratic government.

The NPA will not hesitate to impose punitive action to those who destroy the environment and deprive the people of their sources of livelihood, the rebel spokesperson added.

http://www.visayandailystar.com/2018/September/20/topstory8.htm